Circular country between Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans and Isle-Saint-Georges

A peaceful ride through the green countryside of the Gironde, with very few vineyards for a change, but woods, hay meadows and green pastures, as well as streams, marshes and esteys, thanks to its proximity to the Garonne.
Please note: a large part of the walk is on roads, so caution is advised

Details

7216262
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 11 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Bordeaux via the Deux Mers motorway, take exit 1 "Martillac - Saint-Médard d'Eyrans", then follow signs for "La Brède - Saint-Médard d'Eyrans", then "Saint-Médard d'Eyrans - Isle-Saint-Georges". Then, in the town, follow signs for "Cadaujac" (or "église") and cross the level crossing. The road goes around the church on the right: park in the gravel car park enclosed by log barriers.

(S/E) Take the Chemin de la Bugonne, which first runs alongside the multi-sports hall and its car park, then the water treatment plant, which you leave on your left.
After this, the track, which has been very passable up to this point, becomes semi-passable and runs alongside a forest, then meadows.

(1) Leave the track, which continues straight ahead along the (paved) Petit Brésil path. Turn right at a right angle onto the paved road. After 300-400 metres, just after the intersection with a road on your right, you will pass Château Turpaut. Further on, the road turns left at a right angle and passes under a power line. Continue to the village, which you will cross, and then follow the signs for "Ayguemorte - Bautiran".

(2) Opposite the church, cross the bridge and turn right along the Ruisseau de Saucats. At an iron cross, the road leaves the Saucats. At this iron cross, take the dirt path that runs along the right bank of the Saucats (on your left as you turn your back on the village). Follow this pleasant path along the stream until you soon reach the road and arrive at a footbridge.

(4) Cross this footbridge and you will now be on the left bank of the Saucats. Continue upstream towards the west, then south.

(5) You will arrive at the road between Ayguemorte-les-Graves (on your left) and Saint-Médard d'Eyrans (on your right). Those who enjoy beautiful religious buildings can make a detour to admire the beautiful church of Ayguemortes on the main street. Otherwise, turn right and continue for about 600 metres, where at certain times of day you may encounter some traffic.

(6) Leave this road by turning right onto a very quiet road that passes in front of the beautiful Château d'Eyrans (Chemin du Château). Take the opportunity to admire the beautiful traditional stone and wooden building on the left, opposite the vineyard, and the Château d'Eyrans a little further on the right.

(7) After the château, turn left onto Rue des Fauvettes, which gradually leads into the village and joins the station district.

(8) Turn left and cross the level crossing. If you're feeling curious, you can make a return trip to admire the beautiful old station building, which has been converted into a cultural centre. Otherwise, turn right towards the town centre.

(9) After passing a square adorned with a beautiful umbrella pine tree, turn right towards Cadaujac and continue towards the church that can be seen in the distance.

(S/E) Return to the car park opposite the church and the stadiums.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Sports ground car park - Saint-Médard (Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans)
  2. 1 : km 1.55 - alt. 4 m - Turn right at the fork
  3. 2 : km 3.68 - alt. 6 m - Bridge over the Saucats
  4. 3 : km 3.89 - alt. 4 m - Cross
  5. 4 : km 4.74 - alt. 4 m - Footbridge
  6. 5 : km 6.32 - alt. 6 m - Road between Ayguemortes and Saint-Médard d'Eyrans
  7. 6 : km 7.09 - alt. 10 m - Towards the Château d'Eyrans
  8. 7 : km 7.5 - alt. 7 m - Crossroads at Rue des Fauvettes
  9. 8 : km 8.21 - alt. 11 m - Level crossing
  10. 9 : km 8.58 - alt. 9 m - Crossroads
  11. S/E : km 8.97 - alt. 6 m - Sports ground car park - Saint-Médard (Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans)

Notes

Date of the hike: 28 April 2015 - redone in autumn 2022 and modified after this second visit.

This walk is not difficult and therefore does not require any special equipment. As part of the route is on a track or paved road, despite the charm I found in it, I would not recommend it to those who do not like walking on hard surfaces, even though I have improved it considerably since the first version.

The route can be covered entirely by bicycle, but as it would be a little short, it can be combined with a much longer circular in the Martillac, Saucats and La Brède areas.

Furthermore, it presents no difficulty for wheelchair users, who will find it a varied and enjoyable route, although care should be taken on the 600 m section between points (5) and (6).

Worth a visit

Although we have avoided the vineyards somewhat, they are very present in this area, as we are here in the Graves region, and as such there are a host of châteaux in the vicinity, and for wine lovers, there is the possibility of visits, tastings and purchases directly from the estates.

Also worth noting in the immediate vicinity is the Saucats geological reserve. A visit to the fossil collection is a must, as is a guided tour: a pleasant and interesting walk in the forest to discover new things, which can be repeated without a guide afterwards, as beyond its scientific interest, it remains a lovely walk (notably the mill on the Saucats).

Last but not least, there is the Château de la Brède, home of Montesquieu, which is open to visitors all year round and whose grounds are free to enter.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
bernardoreyen
bernardoreyen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike. The only downside: at the end of the circular route, be careful when walking along the road that runs alongside the railway line. There is a lot of traffic, which tends to drive too fast on this straight stretch. It is essential to walk in single file.

Machine-translated

garbaye.alain@wanadoo.fr
garbaye.alain@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike for 80% of the route. The section along the road running parallel to the railway line requires great care, as there is heavy traffic in both directions and the verges are not great.

Machine-translated

User 16321991

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Apart from a bit of everything about a kilometre away
Great route

Machine-translated

SYLLAV
SYLLAV
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant little country walk , mostly along the "Saucats" through fields. The section on the fairly busy road is really not very long, less than 500 metres. Very nice

Machine-translated

jiced
jiced

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had time to enjoy a hot drink in a grocery store-café
on Isle Saint Georges and were very warmly welcomed even though we arrived just as they were closing.
No particular problems

Machine-translated

Malo2203
Malo2203

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant hike, we recommend it

Machine-translated

stjo
stjo

@Ludodu78 Allow me to correct you: the section of road that is "very busy" and "fast-moving" (deliberately put in quotation marks) is not after the point (6) but between the point (5) and the point (6) - Oh... just over 600 metres!

Machine-translated

Ludodu78
Ludodu78

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
As described. I would just add that after the start, and quite quickly up to point 3, the walk is on a road. It is not very busy, but it is less pleasant than from point 3 in Îles Saint Georges.
In fact, from point 6 onwards, the road is very busy with cars travelling at high speed.
Nevertheless, thank you to the contributor for this hike.

Machine-translated

elisa943
elisa943

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Hike completed on 26/05/2023 from Saint Médard D'Eyrans at around 11 a.m.
I parked at the large car park by the multi-sports hall.
I found this walk very pleasant, with a special mention for the section that runs along the Saucats on one bank, then on the other, even though you're in full sun on this part.
I was a little unsure about finding the trail again from the village of Isle Saint Georges.
I wasn't too bothered by the road sections, as there weren't too many cars out early in the afternoon.
The view of Turpault Castle and the traditional building at the end of the route is worth the detour.
It's a shame that this area is threatened by the future high-speed rail line, as is written everywhere.
The explanations are quite sufficient to complete the route without getting lost. Thank you.

Machine-translated

RP33
RP33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, shaded walk. A beautiful country stroll on the outskirts of Bordeaux. Isle Saint George is well worth a short stop.

Machine-translated

So 33
So 33

No problem, it's still a really nice walk with lovely things to see.
Thank you ☺️

Machine-translated

stjo
stjo

@So 33, your comment reminded me that I hadn't yet modified my route since my last visit in August 2022, when I identified new sections that would reduce the amount of road travel and, in particular, minimise the stretch between Ayguemorte and Saint-Médard, which can be quite busy at certain times of day.
I have therefore just made these changes, in the hope that future comments will be more favourable.
Best regards.
stjo

Machine-translated

So 33
So 33

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Too much road. First part: nature with beautiful encounters: deer, squirrels, white herons, grey herons..
From Isle Saint Georges, we left the route to follow the stream along a beautiful path. Even though it adds a little over 1 km to the hike, it's so much prettier and more enjoyable.
However, to finish, you have to follow the railway line, walking along the edge of a dangerous ⚠️, very busy road. Cars drive fast and the verges are sometimes very narrow and difficult to walk on

Machine-translated

stjo
stjo

Thank you @bx86 for your very constructive comment.
Your alternative route past the Château d'Eyrans is an excellent idea, and one that I would recommend to anyone planning to use this route in future. Although you don't get to see the beautiful old station building (now converted into a cultural centre), you don't lose out as the château is well worth the detour.

Machine-translated

bx86
bx86
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
trip taken today, 11 November 2022, clockwise.
First of all, I should point out that I had read the reviews of this route (which anyone planning to take it should do) and was well aware that not everyone liked the section on the D214.
That said, I would like to point out that no one is obliged to take the suggested walks, especially since it is very easy to check on a map whether certain sections are on tarmac or not... those who are allergic to tarmac can easily see on a 1:25,000 map which paths or roads are used.
Furthermore, once the hike is over, we can be "constructive" and suggest improvements and solutions.
Personally, I would like to thank those who take the time to create these routes and offer them to us.

There are no problems with this route, and the small change to the route, which takes you along the path leading to point 4 in Isle-St-Georges, is a nice touch. When you reach point 4, take the path on the right before the footbridge. This will take you to the left bank of the Saucats (a pretty stream with very clear water) and the path leads easily to point 6 (somewhat surprisingly, the path is marked by the IGN at the beginning but is not continued, even though it is clearly visible and passable). This alternative avoids the tarmac..

At point 6, you obviously have to take the D214... However, you can take a shortcut after 600 metres. At the first crossroads, simply take the small road that leads to the Château d'Eyran. First on the left is a beautiful residence with a wooden bell tower and large plane trees, then the Château d'Eyran on the right (with a very old and huge magnolia tree in the courtyard).
Then, after 150 metres, take the first street on the left and follow it until you reach the level crossing that crosses the D214 and D214E5 and rejoin the normal route. This avoids almost half of the journey on the D214 and is no longer.
The rest of the walk is quite varied, with few vineyards and lots of meadows, divided by "estey" or "rouilles", which drain the very wet land. There are a few hamlets and the small, typical town of Isle-St-Georges (with a rather unremarkable church).

Thanks again to those who suggest these routes to us.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.